Safe Moving and Handling (Level 2)

The Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 and subsequent regulations require that employees are provided with information and training and this general requirement should be supplemented with specific training and information on manual handling.

The Manual Handling Operations Regulations do not set any weight limits for lifting and carrying loads and amendments in 2002 clearly now require employees to have adequate or appropriate knowledge or training. The regulations will apply to nearly all work activities from offices to care homes and factories. There will be different risks associated with different sectors and the HABC Level 2 Award in Safe Moving and Handling offers learning outcomes which are suitable for all.

Health and safety is the responsibility of everyone within a business, including contractors, visitors and suppliers. Safe moving and handling contributes significantly to reducing injury in the workplace. The syllabus areas covered during the course of tuition are regarded by the Health and Safety Executive as being important to maintaining safe working procedures in the workplace.

This unit provides fundamental knowledge and understanding of workplace manual handling safety and the procedures required to reduce the risk of injury caused by poor manual handling practices.The learner outcomes are:

• Understand the reasons for safe manual handling.
• Understand how manual handling risk assessments contribute to improving health and safety.
• Understand the principles, types of equipment and testing requirements associated with manual handling safety.
• Be able to apply safe manual handling principles.